Whoever nominated Fr Mario Grech to be the successor of Bishop Nikol Cauchi appears to have made an excellent choice. No doubt Bishop Cauchi's recommendation (he himself stated in an interview that Fr Grech's name was one of those he proposed) carried a lot of weight at the Vatican. And not without reason.

During his almost 40 years as head of the Gozo diocese Mgr Cauchi was an ideal pastor: intelligent, shrewd, sensitive to the needs of his flock with whom he kept regular contact not only by means of visits to parishes but also, not less, through the media; something which he is still doing.

Mgr Grech's appointment seems to have met with universal approval not only from Gozitans but also from the people of the archdiocese. Already hours of television have been devoted to him. On January 22 when he was installed as bishop of the sister island, everybody could see how popular the priest from Kercem is. He seems to have endeared himself even with those who normally do not bother that much about the way the Church is run in these islands.

His appearance, a few weeks ago, on the most watched local TV programme confirmed his determination to be as close to his flock as possible. No leader - political or religious - can afford not to exploit the media, especially TV, if he wants to be effective, to convey his message to as many people as possible; in the bishop's case the message of Christ as a pastor of the universal Church. During the programme Bishop Grech was made to answer questions from young boys and girls attending secondary schools in Malta and Gozo.

Towards the end of the programme the presenter felt the need to assure viewers that the questions were not put in children's mouths but were genuine questions which the children themselves wanted to ask. Among the topics were single mothers, cohabiting couples and baptism of their children, euthanasia, wife-beating and separation, feasts...

The first four topics would have been unthinkable a few years ago. The fact that they were selected by children, as we were told, shows the great change that has taken place in the culture and beliefs of the Maltese - no longer inhabitants of an island cut off from the rest of a materialistic world.

No doubt these questions were eye-openers not only for the new bishop but also for the whole Maltese and Gozitan Church. The clock, of course cannot be turned back. It's a safe bet that in 10 years' time, perhaps even earlier, more "daring" questions will be asked. Questions which will have to be answered and tackled satisfactorily by bishops, priests, laymen and all those involved in the education and formation of youth.

One thing which jarred during the programme was the apparent arrogance which one or two of the children showed when asking the questions. They gave the impression that they didn't care a hoot whether the person in front of them was a bishop or their next-door neighbour.

His Grace did not seem to be unduly worried by their attitude. Maybe he is too humble and unpretentious. However, this should not make anybody, be they children or grown-ups, Maltese or Gozitans, fail to show due respect not only to the person concerned but also to the office he holds. The bishop's sterling qualities of humility and approachability should not be allowed to be exploited or abused.